Something to shout about

 

Remember Steve's letter to the Arizona Daily Star (see Thursday's blog)? It drew fire - a tasteless, vituperative e mail full of venom from a local who hates God. And all because he signed the letter as a staff member at Dove Mountain Church. I don't know whether we will see full-scale persecution of the church in America in my lifetime, but such viciousness should serve to make us all the bolder, especially on the Lord's Day when we gather for worship of Almighty God. As you prepare for worship today, be inspired by the bold notion of what it means to shout "Jesus is Lord" to the North and to the South!

It's Dancing Day!

Although technically a Christmas Carol, I play this song year round on a CD by the Kiev Symphony.  The lyrics remind me of the delight the Son takes in the Father, and, reciprocally, with the Holy Spirit. Then I delight in the communion we will experience witht the Trinity during divine worship on the Lord's Day.

So, enjoy as you prepare for worship!

Tomorrow shall be my dancing day:
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,

Refrain:

To call my true love to my dance:
Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love;
This have I done for my true love.

Then was I born of a virgin pure,
Of her I took fleshly substance;
Thus was I knit to man's nature,

Refrain

In a manger layed and wrapped I was,
So very poor this was my chance,
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass,

Refrain

Then afterwards baptized I was;
The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
My Father's voice heard from above,

To call my true love to my dance:
Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love;
This have I done for my true love, for my true love.

As you prepare to gather for worship

Going out with joy: Happy Lord's Day!

As you prepare for worship on the Lord's Day

From the breaking of the dawn to the setting of the sun,

I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

Words of power, strong to save, that will never pass away,

I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

For Your covenant is sure,

And on this I am secure—

I can stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

When I stumble and I sin, condemnation pressing in,

I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

You are faithful to forgive that in freedom I might live,

So I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

Guilt to innocence restored,

You remember sins no more—

So I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

When I'm faced with anguished choice, I will listen for Your voice,

And I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

Through this dark and troubled land

You will guide me with Your hand

As I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

And You've promised to complete

Ev'ry work begun in me—

So I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

Hope that lifts me from despair, love that casts out ev'ry fear,

As I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

Not forsaken, not alone, for the Comforter has come,

And I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

Grace sufficient, grace for me,

Grace for all who will believe—

We will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.